Translator: AnubisTL
Jieming was startled by his own conclusion.
"No, that can't be right..."
He instinctively tried to dismiss the idea. After all, Noren Academy conducted plane-wide admissions every five years. Even with its stringent requirements, each cohort still enrolled several thousand students.
If only a hundred or so students survived each class, what must the frontline mortality rate be?!
Yet the thought lingered like a dark cloud in his mind, impossible to dispel.
He glanced at the Combat Department's area, where the Q&A session was in full swing. A group of spirited returning wizards were taking turns answering apprentices' questions and sharing battlefield experiences, creating a lively atmosphere.
"...It's practically a fan meeting," Jieming muttered.
With a decisive turn, he headed toward another group of wizards gathered nearby. Their faces were weary, etched with a hint of world-weariness.
They wore standard Logistics Department robes, their chests embroidered with symbols representing alchemy (a crucible), potionology (a flask), or formation studies (runes).
These wizards appeared remarkably plain, some even wearing robes that seemed worn and outdated.
Their ranks were modest, mostly first-tier official wizards, with two still at the third-tier wizard apprentice level.
Their gazes lacked the sharp confidence of combat wizards, instead radiating a calm born of worldly experience.
In stark contrast, the combat wizards from their graduating class exuded an entirely different aura and had achieved remarkable success.
From this perspective, it seemed the school had sent this group of wizards back to serve as a cautionary tale, highlighting the stark differences in career paths.
Almost as soon as Jieming turned to approach, several wizards fixed their gazes upon him.
Maintaining his composure, Jieming stepped forward and politely inquired in a low voice, "Excuse me, seniors. I'm a new apprentice this year, considering my specialization. May I ask a few questions?"
Hearing Jieming's question, the wizards exchanged amused glances.
An Alchemy Wizard spoke first, "New here? Interested in the Logistics Department, huh? What, not planning to join the Combat Department and make a name for yourself? The benefits there are genuinely better than what you'll find in Logistics."
Being watched by a group of wizards far stronger than himself, Jieming felt immense pressure even though they weren't deliberately exerting their qi. Fortunately, years of cultivation had tempered his will to an extraordinary degree.
He shook his head sincerely. "I'm not particularly interested in fighting and killing. And... to be honest, I'm somewhat afraid of the battlefield."
"It's natural to fear the battlefield, especially for a newcomer," a potionology wizard remarked. "But logistics... well, advancement isn't as rapid as in the Combat Department, and you'll have to compete for resources yourself."
"I'm more curious why you think we'd answer your questions," another wizard interrupted, turning an inquisitive gaze toward Jieming. "Wizards value the equal exchange of knowledge. What do you have to offer that would make us answer?"
"Because..."
Jieming didn't elaborate, instead shifting his gaze toward the Combat Department wizards on the other stage, who were still interacting with the new apprentices.
The Logistics Department wizards exchanged knowing glances in the same direction, then chuckled in unison.
"You're absolutely right. We've all been assigned to assist with the academy's promotional efforts," the Alchemy Wizard said, his eyes filled with admiration as he looked at Jieming.
"As part of our duties, we are obligated to answer questions from new students. However, due to contractual restrictions, each student only gets one question, and I can only answer questions about things you already know or are about to learn, provided they aren't restricted by the contract. If your question exceeds these limitations, I reserve the right not to answer."
"Now... what do you want to ask?"
Jieming didn't hesitate. "I want to know why there are only ninety-seven returning wizards from the Combat Department assisting with the promotion?"
Upon hearing Jieming's question, the Logistics Department wizards fell silent.
They stared at Jieming with varying expressions, making him feel somewhat uncomfortable. Finally, a Construct Wizard couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Hahahaha... this kid's way smarter than I was back in the day!"
One wizard even tried to recruit Jieming directly. "Hey kid, come join rune studies! With your brains, you're destined for greatness!"
"Go, go, go! How dare you recruit him directly? Aren't you afraid of violating the contract? And keep your voices down! Other students might hear us!" The Alchemy Wizard waved his hand dismissively at the other wizards.
The wizards paid no attention to the Alchemy Wizard's warning. A Construct Wizard even pointed triumphantly upward:
"Relax, Jack. This kid asking that question means he's already seen through the trap in this recruitment campaign. As for the apprentices outside... I've already set up an illusion barrier. Those little guys won't notice anything."
Jieming looked up, startled.
A frosted glass-like screen of light had silently enveloped him and the group of wizards.
This must be the illusion barrier the wizard had mentioned. Yet, despite being in a state of high alert since the beginning, Jieming hadn't noticed when the wizard had cast it.
If the wizard hadn't pointed it out, he wouldn't have even realized the surroundings had changed.
"Don't be too surprised," the wizard said. "Once you're on the battlefield, you'll gradually learn these tricks to survive."
Jack noticed Jieming's surprise but didn't dwell on it. After all, Jieming had been a commoner before his transformation, so his astonishment at such a situation was perfectly understandable.
Ignoring the teasing from his friends behind him, Jack turned to Jieming, his expression conveying genuine satisfaction. "I never expected you to discover the problem from this angle. It's quite unexpected! Yes, it's exactly as you suspect—or rather, the front lines are even more dangerous than you imagine!"
At this point, Wizard Jack's smile faded, his expression turning serious. "I can tell you plainly: whether it's the Combat Department or the Logistics Department, what you see here are the only surviving members of our graduating class."
"Wh... what?" Jieming couldn't help but widen his eyes.
He instinctively scanned the area. The Combat Department's returning wizards were easy to spot, all gathered on the stage. Though the Logistics Department's returning wizards weren't clustered together, they were scattered in small groups nearby. With Jieming's abilities, he instantly calculated the exact numbers:
"One hundred and fifty-three..."
"Our graduating class had over five thousand students. The ratio of Combat Department to Logistics Department students was fifty to one. Now, all 153 survivors are gathered here."
(End of the Chapter)
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